"The increase is a sign that the search engine can no longer afford to operate in a Silicon Valley vacuum. For years, Google had a reputation for indifference inside the Beltway. It took Google until May 2005 to set up a presence in Washington and even then, its headquarters consisted of a one-man lobbying shop in suburban Maryland." Do the Americans among you just accept this? Is this normal? Why aren't you guys turning to the streets when your country is quite clearly being bought left and right? I mean, I'm sure this happens everywhere, but on this scale? Gives me the creeps.

Well, I do know that that is exactly how it works in my country (Lithuania) and other countries around it (Poland, Latvia, Russia?).

It always fascinates me when people think that politicians are all about love and ponies. And that is especially true the poorer the country is. My sister lives in US and we had a huge argument when she was trying to convince me that in US politicians are going to a "power" because they love their country (btw I call this "western fever") and that money mean little to them cause they already have money. Well hell yeah, the rule I learnt is that you do not have rolls or cash rolling around just by being nice (-.